"I think part of the tragedy of Newtown was the mental health problem, and I think what states and what the federal government need to do is focus on how we can improve mental health care and to keep those with mental health problems away from firearms," Schuette said Wednesday outside the Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

The December massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School reignited talk of gun control throughout the country. It also spurred an unprecedented surge in demand for guns and ammunition.

Popular pistols, assault-style rifles and common ammo are nearly impossible to keep in stock, according to several West Michigan gun shops. The number of FBI background checks on people purchasing firearms in Michigan reached an all-time high in December.

A parent of two children, Schuette shares the concerns of parents around that state and country. He and his son are hunters and both understand the importance of gun safety, he said. And while Schuette believes gun control will be a statewide and national discussion for some time, he made it clear where he stands on weapon ownership.

"I think the key thing is that honest, law-abiding citizens have a right to bear arms for safety, for defense, for sporting purposes, for collection," he said. "We need to make sure those rights are never taken away."